with what meds, you flush IV

[jollygirl098]

I am not able to understand why nurses flush IV'S before meds. I know these are for dissolving any clots but what meds usually need these flushes ? Heparin ................

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

We normally flush with saline to make sure the port is patent.

[gwafuh_rn, BSN, RN]

i flush heplock with ns before and after i give prn meds such as morphine,dilaudid,zofran,etc.hehe!!!

[pedspro]

you flush your medlocks with NS for patency(Q6 and PRN) according to your hospitals policy). Depending on the meds COMPATIBILITY you may have to mix w/sterile water or LR or whatever is compatible to the med. Do not asume all meds are compatible with Normal Saline

[HeartsOpenWide, RN]

I work with Pitocin. I pause my pump and flush before and after giving any med to prevent any drug-drug interactions. Flushing does not just have to do with avoiding your I.V. from clotting off.

[boogeysmomRN]

I work with Pitocin. I pause my pump and flush before and after giving any med to prevent any drug-drug interactions. Flushing does not just have to do with avoiding your I.V. from clotting off.

Ditto! I flush before to check patency (if I didn't start the IV or its been a while since anything was given) and inbetween each med, and after all meds to ensure no meds are left in the tubing.

[Testa Rosa, RN]

SASH was what I learned--Saline to flush and establish IV patency, Administer medication, Saline to flush thru medication, and where indicated (as it ports) finish off with Hep. Or in most cases: SAS Saline, Administer med, Saline.

I always flush an IV line before I reattach it to the pump. I've noticed when this is not done the pump is more likely to start beeping with an occlusion.

[jollygirl098]

thanks !